CNN adds TripAdvisor search, SkyTeam joins WeChat, Mercure tests six degrees theory, and more...

This is a roundup of product news and announcements for travel MARKETING in tourism and hospitality for January 2015.

Wednesday 21 January:

CNN International adds TripAdvisor metasearch.

CNN Travel, the section of CNN's website dedicated to consumer travel information, is now adding TripAdvisor hotel reviews and metasearch booking to its content.

• The move helps makes CNN Travel's content more practical--and profitable, thanks to commissions. The move also helps brand TripAdvisor with a fresh audience, such as through the featuring of its picks for the "25 best hotels in the world." For more, see our profile of CNN Travel and our review of TripAdvisor's use of content as a marketing tool.

Monday 19 January:

SkyTeam joins WeChat

• Airline alliance SkyTeam has opened an account on messaging service WeChat to make it easier for customers in China to communicate with it as well as provide information, such as schedules and flight status, and services to passengers generally.

Mercure unveils six degrees promotion on Facebook

• Mercure Hotels is encouraging consumers to create a one-minute video for Facebook about themselves and saying why they are the world's best friend. The promotion aims to test the six degrees of separation theory by choosing someone to meet an Aboriginal from the Bundjalung tribe in Australia.

Monday 12 January 2015:

Hotels.com launches UK television campaign

• Expedia-owned Hotels.com has unleashed a series of television advertisements designed to highlight why it should be the obvious choice for frequent travellers. Alternative versions of the ad will be aired throughout the year to promote various aspects of the service such as its mobile apps and price guarantee.

101 Holidays targets singles

• 101 Singles Holidays, a service developed for people travelling alone, has been launched to bring together specialists in the sector including Solo Holidays and Friendship Travel as well as more mainstream operators such as Cox & Kings. The service from 101 Holidays follows research carried out last year on 100,000 bookings and showing that 35% of people were travelling alone.

Wednesday 7 January 2015:

ArrivalGuides and Brussels Airlines unite for digital passenger lounge

• Passengers at the airline's new business lounge, known as The Loft, are given a Microsoft Surface Pro 3 device during their stay, giving them access to a range of digital services. These include booking tools for services in the lounge, as well as information about their particular flight. ArrivalGuides is providing the destination content for the devices.

Small Luxury Hotels of the World gets a digital rebranding

• Digital agency Possible was again behind the redesign of the chain's desktop, mobile and tablet presence. The partnership, which has so far lasted over five years, comes as online reservations for the brand pass 45%.

NB: Send links or releases for travel systems direct to Tnooz via email.

NB2: Travel marketing image via Shutterstock.